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With their high school diplomas on the line, most area public school 10th-graders scored proficient or better on all portions of last spring's Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System tests.
But a slightly higher percentage of Norwood's sophomores - now juniors - than the state average got scores showing they need improvement in the math and the science and technology/engineering exams.
In order to graduate, Massachusetts students need to demonstrate proficiency in the three exams English language arts, mathematics and science. For the first year on the 2008 exams, a student must pass the science and technology/engineering portion to earn a diploma.
"Graduation from high school represents a set of skills that the rest of the world is going to be looking for, whether the students decide to go to college, whether they decide to go right into a career path," Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester said at the time his office released the results.
In Westwood, 94 percent of the 10th-graders taking the English language arts exam scored proficient or higher, while 93 percent did that well in math, and 87 percent did that well in science and technology.
In Dedham, 76 percent of the sophomores tested measured proficient or better in English, while 80 percent did that well in mathematics and 86 percent reached or topped that level in science.
In Norwood, 80 percent of 10th-graders achieved proficiency or better in English, while 69 percent in math and 56 percent in science and technology did that well.
Throughout the state, 74 percent of students were proficient or better in English, 72 percent in math, and 57 percent in science and technology.
Students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 also took the MCAS tests last year, but their results do not affect graduation.
Chester said educators will provide help to 10th-grade students who did not score high enough on MCAS to receive their diplomas after senior year.
"We know the schools are taking this very seriously," Chester said.
Chester had a suggestion to parents of the juniors who took the MCAS exams as sophomores last year.
"I would say to parents, be sure you are asking your school officials, be sure that your child enrolled in a science course in his junior year, be sure that your child is getting the extra help the school should be making available. The state provides funds to districts to provide extra assistance for students who have not passed."
With their high school diplomas on the line, most area public school 10th-graders scored proficient or better on all portions of last spring's Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System tests.
But a slightly higher percentage of Norwood's sophomores - now juniors - than the state average got scores showing they need improvement in the math and the science and technology/engineering exams.
In order to graduate, Massachusetts students need to demonstrate proficiency in the three exams English language arts, mathematics and science. For the first year on the 2008 exams, a student must pass the science and technology/engineering portion to earn a diploma.
"Graduation from high school represents a set of skills that the rest of the world is going to be looking for, whether the students decide to go to college, whether they decide to go right into a career path," Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester said at the time his office released the results.
In Westwood, 94 percent of the 10th-graders taking the English language arts exam scored proficient or higher, while 93 percent did that well in math, and 87 percent did that well in science and technology.
In Dedham, 76 percent of the sophomores tested measured proficient or better in English, while 80 percent did that well in mathematics and 86 percent reached or topped that level in science.
In Norwood, 80 percent of 10th-graders achieved proficiency or better in English, while 69 percent in math and 56 percent in science and technology did that well.
Throughout the state, 74 percent of students were proficient or better in English, 72 percent in math, and 57 percent in science and technology.
Students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 also took the MCAS tests last year, but their results do not affect graduation.
Chester said educators will provide help to 10th-grade students who did not score high enough on MCAS to receive their diplomas after senior year.
"We know the schools are taking this very seriously," Chester said.
Chester had a suggestion to parents of the juniors who took the MCAS exams as sophomores last year.
"I would say to parents, be sure you are asking your school officials, be sure that your child enrolled in a science course in his junior year, be sure that your child is getting the extra help the school should be making available. The state provides funds to districts to provide extra assistance for students who have not passed."
